KUWAIT CITY, April 3: A number of construction workers hope the contracting companies will strictly implement the decision of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, which does not allow these workers to work under the direct heat of the sun after 1:00 pm during summer, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
In an interview with the daily recently, some construction workers urged the ministry to implement the decision this month, since the temperature has started to rise by mid-March. They asserted they have no right to ask their companies to execute the decision and they cannot just stop working, so they have no choice but endure the scorching heat. They opined the ministry should be held responsible in case a laborer falls down from a scaffold due to the extreme heat as many companies have been disregarding its directive.
Mohammed Anwar, a foreman, stated the laborers got used to working under the direct heat of the sun because they have no option but to carry out their task. He clarified the laborers gradually adapt to the weather from dawn until noon, but if they start working at 10:00 am they can no longer get accustomed to the high temperature.
On the other hand, Ramadan Thabit and Mohammed Refaat revealed some of the laborers get sick due to exposure to direct heat of the sun during the hottest hours in summer. They added the ministry inspects companies to ensure compliance with the directive only at the beginning of June every year.